| You have made a life changing decision. You want a | | | | society is how and where they keep their dogs after |
| special member of your family. You have decided to | | | | they rescue them. Are they kept in a kennel? Are |
| adopt a rescue dog. Where do you go from here? | | | | they placed in a foster home until they are adopted? |
| How do you find that special dog? You want a nice | | | | Most good rescue societies have a foster program |
| dog that is adoptable. Where can you find one? | | | | so they can get the dog beyond the initial trauma of |
| There are a lot of pet rescue societies out there. | | | | leaving the home they were in whether it was a |
| There are small ones and large ones. There are | | | | good or bad situation. |
| rescue societies that rescue all breeds and those that | | | | Once you have found a potential candidate for "dog |
| just rescue a particular breed of dog. How do you | | | | of the family," make sure the society will let you |
| decide which one to go to? | | | | take a look at the dog outside of a kennel situation, |
| Before you ever decide which rescue society to go | | | | so you can see how the dog behaves when he or |
| to, you need to decide which type of dog you want. | | | | she is outside a small container. Is it playful, good |
| Do you want a small dog or a large dog? Do you | | | | tempered and does it interact well with you and your |
| need a dog that you don't have to worry about | | | | family? If they won't let you look at the dog outside |
| being allergic to? Do you have children? Do you live in | | | | a kennel, don't deal with them. You need to see your |
| an apartment or do you have a large yard? Breeds | | | | prospective dog when it is not in a kennel and can be |
| such as golden retrievers, laborador retrievers, | | | | itself. |
| boxers and standard or miniature poodles are good | | | | Many good rescue societies will bring your dog to |
| with children. Toy poodles and other small breeds | | | | you so they can see what kind of living conditions |
| usually are better with older children and adults. | | | | you have and also can see how the dog reacts to |
| Once you have decided what type of dog you want, | | | | you, your family and your home. Before they bring |
| then you must decide where to get it from. There | | | | the dog to your home, ask if there is a particular |
| are many societies out there, usually you can find a | | | | treat the dog likes and go out and get some of |
| local chapter of one near you. There is a pet | | | | them. This will be helpful once the dog is at your |
| resource called petfinder which lists many of these | | | | home. It is mutual inspection time and this benefits |
| rescue societies as well as individual dogs that are | | | | both you and the dog. The most important trait to |
| available and where they are located. | | | | look for in the dog once it is in your home is whether |
| How do you determine which society to go to or if a | | | | or not it is sociable. Is it a dog that is good tempered |
| particular dog is a good one or not? Do not go to a | | | | and wants to give love and be loved. Remember, |
| society which lists every dog it has as the best | | | | many of these dogs have been rescued from homes |
| animal in the world. These sound like they don't know | | | | where they were neglected or abused and if they |
| anything about their dogs or they are just trying to | | | | are still sociable even after that, they are dogs that |
| get rid of dogs that really aren't adoptable. If the | | | | want a good home and want to be loved. If the dog |
| society lets you know upfront that the dog has | | | | snarls at you, jumps at you or growls, this is probably |
| issues, that it is shy or barks incessantly or has a | | | | not a dog you want to bring into your happy home. |
| cataract in one eye, then they are probably a society | | | | Remember those treats you went out and bought? |
| that cares about their dogs and are honest about | | | | Now that you have made introductions with the dog, |
| their adoptability. | | | | and have determined that the dog may be |
| Another thing to find out is whether the society has | | | | acceptable, try giving it one of those treats. See how |
| a return policy. Will they let you return the dog in a | | | | it reacts to this. If the dog takes the treat, this is |
| month, three months, a year if it doesn't work out | | | | further indication that it is sociable, especially if he or |
| with your family? Will they let you adopt it to | | | | she is gentle about taking it. Ask the person from |
| another member of your family, for example, your | | | | the rescue society if you can take the dog's lead and |
| sister or your mother who has fallen in love with | | | | take it for a short walk and play with it a bit. See |
| your little girl or boy, if suddenly you find yourself in a | | | | how the dog reacts. If it is playful and walks well on |
| situation where you cannot have a dog? Do you | | | | the lead, that is another good indication of the dog's |
| have to return the dog to the rescue society? If | | | | sociability. Find out as much as you can about the |
| their policy is not listed on their website or in their | | | | dog. A good rescue society representative will at |
| documentation, do not adopt a dog from them. Most | | | | least be able to tell you a bit about the dog and |
| rescue societies will list their policies and tell you | | | | things that it might like or dislike. |
| about them up front when you interview them. | | | | If this visit has been a good one, this is probably the |
| Most rescue societies charge a nominal adoption fee. | | | | dog for you. Go ahead and take the dog for a trial. |
| Make sure you find out what that is before you | | | | Oh yeah, make sure that the rescue society is willing |
| consider adopting a dog from them. Otherwise you | | | | to take calls from you if there are any situations with |
| might find out at the last minute that you cannot | | | | your new dog. There are lots of good rescue |
| afford the dog you have fallen in love with. If the | | | | societies out there and lots of good dogs available |
| rescue society is honest and tells you these things | | | | for adoption that need a good home. It just takes a |
| right off the bat, then they are a good one to deal | | | | little research and this can lead to a whole lot of fun |
| with. | | | | for you, your dog and your family. |
| Another thing you want to find out from the rescue | | | | |